Orange County Museum of Art facts for kids
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The museum in 2022, during its grand opening
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| Established | 1962 (as Balboa Pavilion Gallery) 1968 (as Newport Art Museum) 1996 (as OCMA) |
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| Location | 3333 Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, California 92626 |
| Type | Contemporary art museum |
| Architect | Thom Mayne |
The Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA) is a cool place to explore modern and contemporary art. It's located in Costa Mesa, California, on the campus of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts.
The museum has a huge collection of over 4,500 art pieces. Many of these focus on art from California and the Pacific Rim. You can see art from the early 1900s right up to today. OCMA shows all kinds of art, like paintings, sculptures, and photos. They also feature new types of art, such as video, digital art, and special installations.
Contents
Discovering OCMA's History
The Orange County Museum of Art has a long and interesting history. It started small and grew into the amazing museum it is today.
Early Beginnings: Balboa Pavilion Gallery (1962-1968)
The museum began in 1962. Thirteen women founded it as the Fine Arts Patrons Pavilion Gallery. They rented space on the second floor of the Balboa Pavilion. Their goal was to show modern and contemporary art. One of the founders, Betty Winckler, was the president until 1968. After that, the gallery changed its name and hired professional staff.
Growing Up: Newport Harbor Art Museum (1968-1996)
In 1968, the gallery became the Newport Harbor Art Museum. It moved to a bigger spot on the Balboa Peninsula in 1972. Then, in 1977, the museum opened a new, larger building in Newport Beach. This building had about 23,000 square feet, with 7,714 square feet just for showing art.
In 1981, Paul Schimmel became the chief curator. He was only 27, the youngest ever for the museum. He helped the museum focus on modern California art. He brought works by famous artists like John Baldessari and James Turrell into the museum's collection.
The museum earned special accreditation in 1982. By 1983, its art collection was worth $2 million. It had 4,500 members and welcomed 65,000 visitors each year. In 1985, the Irvine Company donated $1 million to help fund major art shows.
Plans for a New Building
In 1987, the Irvine Company offered the museum 10 acres of land. This was a challenge gift: the museum needed to raise $10.5 million to get the land. Officials chose Renzo Piano to design a new $25-million building. His plans showed a unique, barrel-vaulted design. However, the project faced rising costs and not enough gallery space. The museum then hired Kohn Pedersen Fox, but fundraising stopped at $10 million. So, the land was never transferred.
Becoming OCMA: Orange County Museum of Art (1996-Present)
In 1996, the Newport Harbor Art Museum merged with the Laguna Art Museum. The new organization was named the Orange County Museum of Art. This merger lasted only nine months. In 1997, OCMA returned the Laguna Art Museum site. However, the art collections from both museums remained together in a special trust. Both museums could still use the art for exhibitions. OCMA was in charge of storing and insuring all the artwork.
After the merger, the museum expanded its space. A $1.8-million project doubled the museum's size. It now had 15,800 square feet of gallery space. The project also added art studios, a classroom, an auditorium, and a bigger storage area.
In 2008, OCMA announced plans to move from its Newport Center home. It received a 1.64-acre plot of land on Avenue of the Arts. The condition was to start building within five years. Soon after, Thom Mayne was chosen to design the new building.
Temporary Home During Construction
While the new building was being built, OCMA opened a temporary space. This was in a former furniture store in South Coast Village. It opened on October 3, 2018. This temporary home had about 31,000 square feet, with 21,000 square feet for exhibitions. It was called OCMAEXPAND-SANTA ANA. The museum held exhibition seasons there, each lasting about six months.
The museum temporarily closed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It closed again in November 2020 during a "second wave" of the virus.
The Amazing New Building
On May 31, 2018, officials showed off the design for the museum's new building. It was designed by Morphosis Architects. The old Newport Beach site was sold on May 15, 2018. Construction for the new three-story building began in September 2019. It was planned to open in 2022. The building was topped out on October 6, 2020, meaning the highest point of the structure was completed.
OCMA officially opened its new doors to the public on October 8, 2022. They celebrated with a 24-hour Grand Opening! The new building cost $93 million. It features cool curving bands of terracotta panels. This gives it a very unique look.
The new museum has almost 25,000 square feet of exhibition galleries. This is about 50 percent more space than before. The entire museum is 52,000 square feet. This allows OCMA to host big special exhibitions and show more of its collection. It also has 10,000 square feet for education programs, performances, and public events. There are also offices, a gift shop, and a café.
Exciting Exhibitions at OCMA
The Orange County Museum of Art often organizes special exhibitions of contemporary art. These shows introduce visitors to new and interesting artists.
OCMA has hosted the first major shows for artists like Vija Celmins and Chris Burden. They have also featured big exhibitions by Bill Viola and Catherine Opie. The museum also puts together shows that explore specific themes. For example, Girls’ Night Out (2003) featured works by women artists. State of Mind: New California Art circa 1970 looked at California artists from the 1960s and 1970s.
The museum also shows modern art and design from earlier periods. Past exhibitions have included Edvard Munch: Expressionist Paintings, 1900-1940 and Picasso to Pollock: Modern Masterpieces. These shows help visitors understand how art has changed over time.
In 1984, the museum started the California Biennial. This show focused on new artists in California. In 2013, it became the California-Pacific Triennial. This is a special exhibition that highlights contemporary art from around the Pacific Rim. OCMA's exhibitions have traveled to over 30 museums in the United States and Europe.
When the new building opened in 2022, it featured exciting inaugural exhibitions. These included a return of the California Biennial, a show by Fred Eversley, and "13 Women." The "13 Women" exhibition honored the museum's original founders.
Exploring OCMA's Art Collection
The museum's main collection focuses on art from California. It includes important art movements like Early and Mid-Century Modernism. You can also see art from Bay Area Figuration, Assemblage, and California Light and Space. Other styles include Pop Art, Minimalism, and Installation Art.
The collection features many famous artists. These include John Baldessari, Chris Burden, Richard Diebenkorn, and Edward Ruscha. Their works help tell the story of California art.
OCMA also has a growing collection of international art. This includes pieces by artists like Eija-Liisa Ahtila, Lee Bul, and Christian Marclay. This shows the museum's interest in art from around the world.
For the opening of its new building in 2022, OCMA asked Sanford Biggers to create a special artwork. This piece, called Of many waters … (2022), is a huge steel and aluminum sculpture. It's 24 feet wide and 16 feet tall. It's an interactive piece with benches where visitors can sit. You can find it on the museum's sculpture terrace.
Museum Leadership and Support
OCMA has had many directors over the years. Each director has helped guide the museum's growth and vision. The current director is Heidi Zuckerman.
The museum's budget has grown significantly. In 2018, its annual operating budget was about $4.8 million. By 2023, it grew to $8.5 million. In 2022, Lugano Diamonds donated $2.5 million. This generous gift allows OCMA to offer free admission for 10 years, making art accessible to everyone!
